Vitascope.



PATENTED JULY 12, 1904. T. ABMAT.

VITASOOPE.

APPLIOATION TILED SEPT. 18, 1903 3 SHEETS-SHEET1 NO MODEL. I

PATENTED JULY 12, 1904.

T. ARMAT. VITASGOPE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18, 1903.

3 SHBETSSHBET 2 NO MODEL. 7

A humane) PATENTED JULY 12, 1904.

T. ARMAT.

VITASGOPE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1a, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 31 N0 MODEL.

I] Hozm $13 A UNITED STATES Patented July 12, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

VITASCOPE.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 764,788, dated July12, 1904:.

Application filed September 18, 1903. Serial No. 173,724. (No model.)

10 00 w/wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS ARMAT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Vitascopes; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to machines or apparatus for exhibiting in rapidprogression a series of pictures showing successively the differentattitudes or positions assumed by a person or object in motion, so as togive to the eye the appearance of the moving object or person throughall the phases of its motion, and it has reference more particularly tothat class of such machines in which the series of pictures to bereproduced or displayed are carried on anendless film or strip oftransparent or translucent material which is properly moved to bring thepictures one after another between a suitable illuminator or source oflight and the eye or an objective or projecting lens. Certain featuresof the invention are also applicable to machines employing continuousfilms, as will appear from the following description.

In prior machines of this character in which the pictures have beencarried on endless transparent films it has been necessary to place asuitable light or illuminator within the length of the endless filmbehind the portion thereof which is exposed, so as to project the raysof light through the film and illuminate the pictures atthe point ofexposure, and consequently it has also been necessary to house the bulkof the film and the illuminator in separate compartments to preventdiffusion of the light and concentrate its rays on the part of the filmwhich is exhibited and to carry a part of the film a considerabledistance around the illuminator or its compartment, thus increasing thesize and bulk of the machine.

The primary objects of my invention are to provide a simple andeffective arrangement and means for illuminating the pictures on atransparent or translucent strip or film by light passing laterally tothe film with a view especially to supplying the necessary brightmassfrom the surrounding natural light or from a source of light entirelyexternal to the machine, so that the machine is ready to operateanywhere by daylight or any other exterior surrounding light; to providean arrangement and construction of the machine as a whole which shall beexceedingly simple, light, and compact, permitting the operatingmechanism, lenses, and the whole length of the film to be assembled invery small compass and which shall be convenient in use in inserting orwithdrawing the film and in access to the mechanism; to dispense withthe necessity of means for paying out the film regularly to the feedingdevice and to provide an arrangement whereby the film will constantlypresent slack of its own accord, and to improve in certain particularsthe details of the. mechanism and other parts, all with a view toproducing a simpler, smaller, and more efficient machine.

In effecting a practical embodiment of my invention I provide a narrowcasing for the film and operating mechanism, preferably circular,hexagonal, or of similar conformation, though any suitable design may beadopted. In the rim or peripheral portion of the casing an opening isprovided through which the moving picture is observed or projected,according to whether it is displayed in the machine itself or thrown ona screen. The picture-carrying film passes beneath or on the inside ofthis opening and is moved to bring the series of pictures thereonsuccessively within the range of vision or projection in a well-knownmanner. The mechanism for supporting,'tensioning, and feeding the filmis simply and compactly arranged beneath or at the inside of saidopening, while the greater length or bulk of the film occupies theremainder of the casing, practically surrounding said mechanism andlying in loose folds or in any position it may assume and taking care ofitself as it is continuously fed to display the pictures. The film as itis fed into the receptacle by the feeding mechanism assumes the form ofa loop or loose fold. As

these loops are formed each one is pushed casing in place along in thereceptacle by the feeding in of the next succeeding loop until it isfinally pushed around to the other side of the feeding mechanism, stillin the form of a loop,

where it is intermittently fed across the exposure-opening, the filmbeing thus intermittently'fed out of a loop or loose fold, therebygreatly reducing the liability to tear. Beneath the exposed portion ofthe film or that which is exhibited is placed a light deflecting ordiffusing device, such as a mirror or piece of white cardboard or otherlight-diffusing surface, at an angle, preferably, forty-five degrees tothe surface of the film or plane of the film as a whole, and this devicedeflects or diffuses through the film light derived from a lateralsource or from the natural light or from any external source, as throughan opening, glass, or other light-transmitting medium in the side of thecasing. A mirror isprefer-- ably used, and when it is used it isdesirable that the glass through which the light is admitted beroughened or ground, so as to catch and diff use the light, and thuslight up and become a lightened background for the pictures. While thefilm may be, fed in any approved manner for properly exhibiting thepictures in such way as to give the appearance of the person or objectinmotion, I prefer as the most satisfactory way to feed it intermittentlyor with brief periods of rest to expose the pictures and exceedinglyshort intervals of movement to displace one picture and substitute thenext" one in its place, and in connection with the intermittent feedingmechanism I,

also. preferably provide a rotary or movable shutter at the side of themirror or light-diffusing device adapted to obscure the light during thebrief periods of movement of the film, said shutter being parallel withthe plane of the film as a Whole or at right angles to thepicture-carrying surface thereof.

The arrangement thus described is exceedingly simple and compact andenables the profication, and it will then be defined more par-.

ticularly in the annexed claims.

In said drawings, Figure l is aside elevation of an apparatus or machineembodying my invention with the side of the casing broken away todisclose the picture-carrying film and the operating mechanism. Fig; 2is a fragmentary side elevation of the upper righthand part of themachine with the side of the Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig.

2, but taking in less of the casing and showing the machine providedwith a projecting lens in contradistinction tol the observing-lens shownin Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the machine looking directlydown upon the observing-lens, which,as illustrated in Fig. 1, is in thisinstance mounted on the rim at the upper right-'handpart of the casing.Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross section taken on a linerunning from the center of the machine through the lens, as line 5 5 ofFig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 6 is a detail viewshowing a frag merit of the casing in vertical cross-section,. with anattachment connected thereto for refleeting light derived from above themachine or from other points. Fig. 7 is a side elevathrough saidmechanism on line 9 9 of Fig.7

looking in the direction of the arrow, showing also the hinged memberabove the film-support raised. Fig. 10 is a detail view of'the bot-' tomof said hinged member, showingthe'de vice foradjusting the opening inthe plate above the film. The letter A denotes a box or casingfor thefilm and operating-mechanism, in this instance circular inform andmounted upright or vertically on a pedestal or support and having oneside removable or hinged'to open for access to the film and mechanism,as indicated in Fig. 1, where the side B is represented hinged at itsbottom and broken away shortly above its hinge. The casing may consistof. a circular or other suitable peripheral band or rim and ornamentalreticulated or open-work sides, including the hinged side B, and thinplates G Gmay be arranged on or at suitable distances within the innersides of the casing, between which the folds of the picture-carryingfilm F are disposed and the film as a whole guided and held in properverticalpositiomsaid inner plates, which are disclosed more clearly inFig. 5, thus providing a storage space or receptacle for the film ofsubstantially the width of the film and practically surrounding themoving mechanism. By reason of said reticulated or open-work sides, inaddition to their ornamental appearance, the weight of the machine ismaterially reduced, while a proper and sufficiently-strongsupporting-casing is at the same time provided. Said inner plates C Cmay also be black or darkened on their outer faces, and showing throughthe reticulated sides they produce a clever and attractive ap pearanceof darkness behind them, as indicated in the fragmentary view of Fig. 2.The plate C within the hinged side B is secured to and movable with saidside, so that when the side is opened the whole film is at once exposedand accessible, or the receptacle therefor is,

point in the rim or peripheral portion of the. casing, preferably alittle to one side of theupper part, as indicated, so that when themachine is set on a table or support a person may look into the openingwith ease and,

comfort; It is also desirable to have the opening high, since theexposed portion of the.

film is supported beneath the same and the rest of the film can thenhang or rest in folds in the lower partof the receptacle. ing is shownin Figs. 1, 4, and 5 provided with an objective lens D for observingthemoving picture directly in the machine, as.

to fit closely against the casing over the open-.

ing and having flanges, as (Z or e, the lower one of which may rest inoverlying lugs or projections a below said opening, while the upper onemay be clamped under an overlying lug a" by means of. a binding-screw aThe lug a may be slotted and the binding. screw inserted therein andscrewed into the casing, so that when-the screw is loosened the lug mayeasilybe moved up out of engagement withthe flange of the lens-holder.Any suitable meansfor mounting the lenses in place may of course besubstituted.

A film-support or holding and tensioning device is located a suitabledistance below or at the inner side of the objective opening inthecasing over or through which the film is passed, depending at eachend and the greater portion of itslengthresting in loose folds or in anyposition assumed by the film itself in its receptacle for instance, as.indicated in Fig. l. The film is fed by any suitable mechanism,preferably intermittently, so as to bring the series of pictures thereonsucces sively within the range of vision or within the focus of theobjective or projecting lens in such manner as to reproduce to the eyethe motion of the person or object represented. While appropriatefilm-feeding and tensioning devices are illustrated and described in thepresent case, it will be understood that such functions may be performedin numerous ways and by any suitable devices or mechanisms for thepurpose.

The letter G in the drawings denotes a fixed film-supporting memberconsisting of a thin narrow plate over which the film travels,upwardlyinclined in the present instance and having an opening to admitlight through the back of the film to illuminate the pictures thereon.The natural light outside the cas- Said open-1 ing or light from anyexternal source may be .used. It is admitted through an opening,

glass plate, or other transparent or translucent medium 1n the side ofthe casing, here shown through a ground-glass plate H in the hinged sideB. This plate may also be of clear glass or colored-as, for instance,amber or light blue-giving a sunlight or moon-- light effect to thescene exhibited, as desired. Said glass plate is shown in this instancemounted in a frame or door hinged in an opening in the side B andadapted to be opened to expose the film support and mechanism. WVhen themachine is used for projecting pictures, the door or plate H is openedto admit a strong clear light. The light-rays passing through said glassare diffused or deflected up through the opening in plate G and throughthe film by means of a suitable diffusing or deflecting surface I,located beneath the opening G and at an angle thereto and to the film.Where the pictures are exhibited in the machine itself, as ordinarilythey are intended to be, any white or bright surface-such as cardboard,china, or the like-will answer for diffusing the light upwardly andilluminating the film at the point of exposure. If the machine is usedfor projectingthe pictures onto a screen or foreign surface, a mirror isemployed, set, preferably, at an angle of fortyfive degrees to thesurface of the film, and. such a surface is preferably, through notnecessarily, adopted in all instances. This device, besides beingeffective, permits a very simple and close arrangement, since the filmis inclosed in a casing or chamber of internal width substantially thewidth of the film itself, while the light is admitted laterally or fromasource outside said receptacle directly under the exposed or exhibitedportion of the film I and deflected or diffused immediately up throughthe same, thus dispensing with the need of a light or illuminator setback or inclosed within the film and the need of separate compartmentsfor said film and illuminator. 1n the present instance the plate G isshown as a part of the frame for the operating mechanism and hasdepending sides between which the mirror or difiusing-surface I isinclosed. The said frame may be mounted in place in any suitable way,being preferably secured directly to the fixed side of the casing, theinner plate C at that side being cut away to accommodate the frame andmechanism and a small black or darkened plate 0 being secured to theinner side of the casing to hide the mechanism and take the place of thecut-away part of the plate C. (See Figs. 5 and 7.)

As a means for tensioning and frictionally holding the film at the pointof exposure a suitable device is provided for gently or yield-- inglyforcing. the film on or against the plate (1 with sufficient pressure toprevent flexing or puckering or any displacement of the portion of thefilm which has the objects or pictures thereon in position forreproduction. A simple and efiicient device for this purpose consists ofahinged member J,Which is springheld down on or against the plate G,though not in contact with the film, and has a pair of thin strips K,which bear yieldingly upon the edges of the film or the portion thereofat opposite sides of the opening in the plate G in the passage of thefilm over said plate. Pins or stems in may project from the upper sidesof said strips into openings therefor-in member J, and small coiled orother springs may be arranged on said pins between said member and saidstrips, thus furnishing the proper amount of yielding pressure. Toprevent undue friction, as well as to keep the picture-carrying surfaceof the film free from wear, preferably the plate G has smooth raisedsurfaces or ways at its opposite sides, on which the edges of the filmrest and against which they are gently pressed by said springactuatedstrips K, so that only the edge portions of the film contact either withthe plate G or said strips. The film is easily applied to or detachedfrom its supporting-plate and tension device merely bylifting up thehinged member, as shown in Fig. 9. Said hinged member is represented ascircular in form and may inclose a condensing or a magnifying lens, asshown. Said member is also provided at its under side with a plate j,having an opening which registers with the opening in the plate- G topermit exposure of the film through said member, and said plate j ispreferably movable or adjustable for varying the position of the openingtherein in accordance with the pictures on the film, since theperforations on the picture-strip do not always occupy the same relationto the base-line of the pictures, and hence the pictures do not alwaysoccupy the same relation to the open: ing. A simple device for movingthe plate is disclosed in FigQlO, consisting of a spindle j, journaledin a bearing therefor in member J, having a knob or finger-piece j andhaving a lower eccentric pin or stud j working in a transverse slot inthe plate As before stated, the film may be fed or moved in any approvedmanner to give a realistic reproduction of the motions of the person orobject represented, though the most satisfactory and preferred way is tofeed the film intermittently with brief intervals of rest or exposureexceeding the periods of move ment required to effect displacement andsubstitution of one picture after another, so that the intervals ofchange, while frequent, are practically instantaneous or ind'iscernable,while each picture is exposed a sufiicient time to produce the properimpression on the eye. The feeding mechanism herein represented is'similar to that shown and described in my former United States LettersPatent No. 578,185, March 2, 1897. At the far or upper end of the plateG is mounted a feed-drum L, provided with teeth or projections forengaging perforations or apertures in the edges of the film. On theshaft or axle of this drum is secured a star-wheel or disk M, preferablyat the fixed side of the casing immediately within the standard of theframe for the mechanism, and said wheel or disk is provided with radialslots, preferably four in number, extending to the periphery of thewheel and concave or depressed portions between the slots, the wheelthus having substantially the form of a Maltese cross. Adjacent to thestar-wheel M is a rotary disk or element N, having on its face a pair ofoppositely-disposed pins or projections 11., adapted one after anotherto enter successively the slots in the star-wheel and intermittentlyturn the latter as the disk or elein the proper interval requiredfor-exposingthe picture and to cause the next slot always to registerwith the next pin. The shaft of the disk N is shown having a smallpinion O, meshing with a gear-WheelP on the main driving shaft or axle,which latter is journaled in abearing Q, projecting from a hanger orstandard through an opening therefor in the fixed side of the casing andhas an operating-crank R. It will be understood, of course, that thisfeed mechanism may be modified in various ways, or, as before stated,other devices for producing the necessary movement of the film may beadopted.

At the opposite end of the plate Gr a suitable device may be provided,if desired, for paying out slack in the film to be taken up by thefeed-drum; but with the arrangement described such adevice isunnecessary, and hence is not shown, since sufiicient slack and yetproper hold is presented in the film itself lying in the lower part ofthe casing and the gentle pressure of the tensioning device or strips Kis sufiicient to keep the film flat and smooth at the point of exposureand to offer proper resistance to the feed movement, though not enoughto cause injury or tearing of the film by the teeth of the drum, while anumber of perforations are always engaged by said teeth and themovements of the feeddrum are so slight and frequent, resemblingcontinuous motion, as to avoid all liability of injury. The saidopposite or lower end of the plate G is, however, preferably rounded, asat g, for the film to pass smoothly thereover and provided with lateralshoulders or projections, as g, to guide the approaching portions of thefilm properly onto the plate. The tensioningstrips K are also preferablyextended at both ends. to overlie the said rounded part 9 in oneinstance and press the edges of the film gently down between the guidesg and to overlie the drum, on the other hand, and likewise gently pressthe edges of the film thereon and insure engagement of the teeth of theformer with the perforations of the latter. The rounded parts of saidstrips which overlie the drum may be slotted lengthwise, as shown inFig. 9, to accommodate the teeth.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 1 that the operating mechanismis substantially inclosed in the bulk of the film, or, in other words,the film passes over or through said mechanism and practicallysurroundsthe same, the greater part of its length lying in loose folds in itscasing or receptacle. By this arrangement the film constantly presentsits own slack to the feeding mechanism and the necessity for rollers,guides, and devices for paying out slack is dispensed with.

For the purpose of intermittently obscuring the light during the briefperiods of movement of the film required to displace one picture andsubstitute another in its stead a rotary or movable shutter S may bemounted beside the operating mechanism and arranged to pass between themirror or diffusing-surface and the source of light during every suchmovement. of construction, as well as efficiency of operation, thisshutter is preferably arranged parallel to the plane of the film as awhole or at right angles to the surface of the film and so as to passclosely over the opening or inclosure in which the mirror ordiffusing-surface I is located. In the present case it is mounted on theshaft of the disk or rotary element N and has two wings or sectors, thuscorresponding to the two pins or projections 11 and one of said wings orsectors passes in front of the mirror or diffusing-surface every timeone of said pins it engages the star-wheel M and moves the feed-drum. Toaccommodate the shutter, the plate 0 on the inner side of the hinged orremovable side member B is cut away a suitable amount, and behind or atthe inner side of the shutter a small dark plate 0 may be secured to theframe of the operating mechanism to protect the film from the shutter.

The operation of the machine is similar to that of other well-knownkinetoscopes-such, for example, as illustrated in my aforesaid patentandit will be well understood from the foregoing description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings. As the crank R is rotated inthe direction of the arand giving the appearance of an object in motion.During each movement of the film the shutter passes across or in frontof the mirror and shuts off the light, while during For simplicity andcompactness the intervals of rest the light coming through the glass His projected or diffused by the mirror or difi using-surfaces I upthrough the film, thus producing the proper illumination.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated an attachment for reflecting light to thediffusing or illuminating surface I when taken, for example, from abovethe machine or from other points instead of directly from the side. Thisattachment consists simply of a mirror T, mounted at the side of thecasing below or near the glass plate H at a suitable angle forreflecting light through said plate or opening onto the surface I, whichlatter is here indicated in dotted lines. The mirror T may be connectedby a stiff hinge to a small disk or plate 25, clamped against the sideof the casing by means of a binding-screw entered through said plate andone of the openings of the reticulated side and screwed into anotherdisk or plate 6. Thus the mirror may be set at any angle or turned inany position about the screw as an axis, according to the direction oflight, and it may also be readily detached or removed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In avitascope,the combination of a transparent or translucentpicture-carrying strip or film, a casing or receptacle inclosing thesame, means for feeding or moving the film and successively exposing orexhibiting the pictures thereon, and means for illuminating the filmbehind its exposed portion by diffused light derived from the natural orother light surrounding the apparatus as a whole.

. 2. In a vitascope, the combination of a transparent or translucentpicture-carrying strip or film, a casing or receptacle therefor havingan internal width of substantially the width of the film, means forfeeding or moving the film and successively exposing or exhibiting thepictures thereon, and means for illuminating the film behind its exposedportion by the natural or other light surrounding the apparatus as awhole.

3. In a vitascope,the combination of a transparent or translucentpicture-carrying strip or film, a mirror set behind the film at an angleto reflect light coming from a lateral direction through the film, and aground-glass plate or other light-diffusing surface adapted to light upby the surrounding light and thus form a lighted-up background to thepicture.

4. In a vitascope,the combination of a transparent or translucentpicture-carrying strip or film, a narrow casing substantially whollyoccupied by the bulk of the film lying therein in loose folds, means forfeeding or moving the film and successively exposing or exhibit ing thepictures thereon, and means for illuminating the film behind its exposedportion by light admitted laterally from the natural or othersurrounding light outside the casing.

5. In a vitascope, the combination of a transparent or translucentpicture-carrying strip or film, a casing or receptacle therefor havingan internal width of substantially the same width as the film, means forfeeding or moving the film and successively exposing or exhibiting thepictures thereon, and means for illuminating the film behind its exposedportion by light admitted laterally from the natural or other lightsurrounding the casing.

6. In avitascope, the combination of a transparent or translucentpicture-carrying film, the casing therefor having an internal width ofsubstantially the width of the film, a light-dif fusing surface withinthe casing behind the film, means for passing the film over said surfaceand successively exposing or exhibiting its pictutes thereover, andmeans for admitting light from the natural or other surrounding lightonto said surface for diffusion through the film.

7. In a vitascope, the combination of a narrow casing having apicture-exhibiting opening in its rim or narrow side, an internal lightreflecting o1" diffusing surface behind said opening, a film ofsubstantially the same width as the internal width of the casing andsubstantially occupying said casing, means for passing the film betweensaid surface and opening for successively exhibiting its pictures, andmeans for admitting light from a lateral or external source to saidsurface for illuminating the film at the point of exposure.

8. In a vitascope, the combination of a transparent or translucentpicture-carrying strip or film, a casing or receptacle therefor, meansfor feeding or moving the film and successively exhibiting its pictures,and means for forminga lightened-up background for the film.

9. In a vitascope, the combination of an endless transparent ortranslucent picture-carrying stripor film arranged in loops or folds,means for feeding or moving the same and succesively exhibiting thepictures thereon, and means for illuminating the film behind its exposedportion by the natural or other surrounding light outside the casing.

10. In a vitascope,the combination of an endless transparent ortranslucent film, means for feeding or moving the same and successivelyexhibiting the pictures thereon, and a light reflecting or diffusingsurface located within the length of the film behind the point ofexposure adapted to reflect light through the film, and means foradmitting light from a lateral direction to said surface, the bulk ofthe film lying in loose folds around and behind said surface.

11. In a vitascope, the combination of anarrow casing or receptaclehaving a picture-exhibiting opening in its rim or narrow side, aninternal light reflecting or diffusing surface behind or opposite saidopening, an endless film occupy-ing said casing in loose folds orloopsand having a flattened portion passing between said surface andsaid opening, means for feed-ing or moving the film and successivelyexhibiting the pictures thereon, and means for admitting light from anoutside source to said surface.

12. In avitascope, the combination of a filmreceptacle, a filmsupporting and feeding mechanism therein, an endless film'engaged bysaid mechanism and having the remainder of its length supported in loosefolds which sub- .stantially occupy the space of the receptacle andpractically surround said mechanism, and means for illuminating the filmbehind its point of exposure by light derived from a lateral source.

13. In a vitascope, the combination of a picture-carrying film, a lightreflecting or diffusing surface, means for passing the film over saidsurface and successively exhibiting its pictures thereover, means foradmitting light to said surface for reflection through the film, andmeans for intermittently shutting off the light from said surface duringthe periods of displacement of one picture and substitution of another.I i

1 1. In a vitascope, the combination of a picture-carrying film, meansfor feeding the same and successively exhibiting the pictures thereon,means for illuminating the film behind the point of exposure by lightfrom a lateral source, and a movable shutter at right angles to thesurface of the film adapted to obstruct the light intermittently duringthe periods of displacement of the film from one picture to another.

15. In a vitascope, the combination of a picture-carrying film, meansfor intermittently feeding the same for successively exhibiting thepictures thereon, means for illuminating the film behind the point ofexposure by light coming from a lateral source, and a rotary shutterrevolving in a plane at right angles to the surface of the film adaptedto obstruct the light intermittently during the periods of movement ofthe film.

16. In a vitascope, the combination of a picture carrying film, meansfor moving the same so as to successively expose or exhibit the picturesthereon, a light reflecting 0r diffusing surface disposed behind thepoint of exposure at an angle to the surface of the film, means fordirecting light to said surface for illuminating the film, and amova'bleshutter adapted to pass between said surface and the source of lightintermittently as the pictures are successively displaced.

17. In a vitascope, the combination of a narrow casing having apicture-exhibiting opening in its rim or peripheral part and havingaremovable side, plates arranged on the inner faces of the sides of thecasing forming between them a narrow'film-receptacle, the

plate at the removable side being removabletherewith, a film arranged insaid receptacle, and operating mechanism for feeding the film andsuccessively exhibiting the pictures thereon mounted beneath or withinsaid opening and engaging a portion of the film.

18. In a vitascope, a narrow casing having a picture-exhibiting openingin its rim or peripheral part and having a removable side, a filmoccupying the inclosure of said casing, an angularly-disposed lightreflecting or diffusing surface located beneath or within said openingover or before which the film is passed, means for admitting lightthereto from a lateral source, a supporting-plate for the film abovesaid surface having an opening to admit light therefrom through thefilm, a hinged spring-pressed tensioning device pressing the filmagainst said plate and adapted to be raised to permit its insertion orremoval, and means for feeding the film to exhibit successively theseries of pictures thereon.

19. In a vitascope, a narrow casing having a picture-exhibiting openingin its rim or peripheral part, a film occupying the inclosure of saidcasing, an angularly-disposed light reflecting or diffusing surfacelocated beneath or within said opening over or before which the film ispassed, means for admitting light laterally thereto from outside thecasing, means for supporting or tensioning the film in its passage oversaid surface, a rotary feed device for intermittently moving the film,and a rotary shutter substantially at right angles to the surface of thefilm timed to rotate with the feed device and to pass intermittentlybeside said surface to obstruct the light during the periods of movementof the film.

20. In a vitascope, the combination of a film-feeding device, afilm-receptacle, a film therein, and means for causing the portion ofthe film which is drawn toward said device to arrange itself in aplurality of loose folds or loops in said receptacle, by reason of whichthe film is presented to said feeding device in folds to provide slack.

21. In a vitascope, the combination of a film-receptacle, a film-feedingdevice, and an endless film arranged in said receptacle and engaged bysaid device, said feeding device paying out the leaving portion of thefilm into said receptacle, which, by virtue of its periphery, causes thesame to assume loose folds which take up the whole remaining length ofthe film so as to constantly provide slack in the portion thereofdirectly approaching the feeding device.

22. In a vitascope, the combination with a picture-carrying strip orfilm, of an intermittent feeding device therefor, and means for holdingthe approaching portion of the film so as to cause it to assume aplurality of loose folds or loops to provide slack immediately in frontof the feeding device.

23. In a vitascope, the combination with an endless film, of a feedingdevice engaging the film, and means for forming and maintaining aseriesof folds or loops in the film for its entire length between the frontand back ends of the feeding device.

24. In a vitascope, the combination of a rotary film-feeding elementadapted to cause intermittent movement of the film, means forilluminating the film at the point of exposure, and a rotary shuttermounted on the shaft of said element adapted to obstruct illuminationsimultaneously with movement of the film.

25. In a vitascope, the combination of a film and rotary feeding elementadapted to produce intermittent movement thereof, means for illuminatingthe film behind the point of exposure by light coming laterally, and arotary shutter mounted on the shaft of said element adapted to passbetween the source of light and said illuminating means simultaneouslywith movement of the film.

26. In a vitascope, the combination of a film and a feed-drum engagingthe same, of a starwheel connected with said drum, a rotary elementhaving a plurality of projections adapted one after another to engageand turn said starwheel to rotate the drum intermittently, means forilluminating the film behind the point of exposure by light cominglaterally, and a shutter mounted on the shaft of said element having aplurality of wings or sectors corresponding to the number of projectionson said element, one of which wings is adapted to obstruct the lightfrom said illuminating means during each movement of the film.

27 In a vitascope, the combination of afilmsupporting member over whichthe film is passed and portions thereof successively exhibited, anangularly-disposed light reflecting or diffusing surface beneath thesame adapted to diffuse light coming laterally to the movement of thefilm, means for pressing the film gently against said member, afeed-drum at one end of said member engaging the film, means forrotating said drum intermittently, and a rotary shutter at right anglesto the axis of said drum adapted to pass beside said surfacesimultaneously with movement of the film.

28. In a vitascope, a narrow upright casing consisting of a rim orperipheral part, and ornamental reticulated or open-work sides, andplates located within said sides having dark outer frames to give theappearance of darkness through said sides, said plates forming betweenthem an inclosure for a picture-can rying film.

29. In a vitascope, a film-casing having a picture-exhibiting opening,and a lens mounted in a holder over said opening, said lens having upperand lower flanges, overlying lugs on the case in which its lower flangerests, a slotted overlying lug engaging the upper flange, and abinding-screw entered through the slot of the latter and screwed intocasing.

30. In a vitascope, the combination of a transparent or translucentpicture-carrying strip or film, an outside casing, an inside narrowercasing of substantially the same width as the film, a mirror orlight-reflecting means set at an angle to reflect light coming from alateral direction through the film, and means for feeding the film intothe narrow casing so as to form slack or loose folds behind and on eachside of the reflecting means.

In testimony whereof I afi'ix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

THOMAS ARMAT.

Witnesses:

T. BLAIR SHOEMAKER, P. E. BALLINGER.

